The New York Giants had the 18th ranked rushing offense in 2015 barely eclipsing 100 yards per game on average. The four-man rotation failed early in the season and it wasn’t until the Giants gave Rashad Jennings the bulk of the carries that the ground game began having success.
But with the addition of fifth-round draft pick Paul Perkins, the Giants have a dynamic back that could be an impact player his rookie season.
Pro Football Focus rates Perkins one of the best picks in the NFL draft.
“After a number of one-dimensional backs came off the board in the mid-rounds, Perkins had to wait all the way until the fifth round to hear his name called. No running back in the class is shiftier than the UCLA product and it bears out in the data. He led the entire country in elusive rating (114.7) and was fifth in tackles broken despite having only the 26th most carries nationally. He may not have the size to pound the rock 20+ times a game, but he’ll be extremely productive in a platoon role.”
The Giants had another one of their 16 “best picks” of the draft in sixth-rounder TE Jerell Adams.
The aforementioned elusive rating should be music to the ears of Giants fans. Essentially, PFF charts the missed tackles running backs force, either by juking or by simply powering through opposing defenses. The Patriots’ Dion Lewis owned the top spot for rating before his injury last season. The impact Lewis had for New England was astronomical and Perkins has some of the same skill set. Shiftiness is open space is something the Giants can look forward to seeing at a pro level.
Put simply, CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco writes, “Perkins was a productive, elusive player in a good conference. He seemed to glide when he ran. I think he’s a perfect NFL back.”
Perkins will not unseat Jennings or Shane Vereen on the depth chart, but could see some quality touches in the rotation that will likely be used again in 2016. Bleacher Report’s Kevin Boilard put together a “way-too-early” depth chart after the draft revealing where Perkins fits in the already-crowded backfield. Newly-signed Bobby Rainey and fan-favorite Orleans Darkwa aren’t even on the list. He has Perkins unseating the unpopular Andre Williams as the third back. With Jennings’ age and injury history, Perkins could end up being the lead back at some point during the season with Vereen taking third-down duties.
The largely ineffective Williams averaged 5.5 carries per game and Perkins should see more than that his rookie year. Plus, Perkins was a proven threat out of the backfield as a receiver in college and should see more playing time due to his versatility. While the Giants backfield is crowded, Perkins should quickly climb the depth chart and be an impact rookie in 2016.